In mid-December 2012, ODE received the initial list of schools from Oregon that were randomly selected to participate in the scientific sample of the Smarter Balanced Pilot Test. Data Recognition Corporation (DRC) has been recruiting schools since that time. As anticipated, some of the schools have declined participation, and so Smarter Balanced is required to replace these schools with comparable ones in order to meet the requirements of the sample plan. Smarter Balanced is still in the process of randomly selecting schools to participate in the Smarter Balanced Pilot Test (Scientific Sample) and ODE receives an updated list each two weeks of schools that have been picked as replacement schools.

ODE will contact district test coordinators from each of the districts that had schools selected as replacements for the scientific sample of the Pilot test via email. Districts that receive an email from ODE in regard to being selected to participate in the scientific sample of the pilot test need to contact DRC (by phone at 1-800-847-3193 or by email at SmarterBalancedRecruitment@DataRecognitionCorp.com) after January 28, 2013 to let them know whether or not the school is willing to participate.